Bavaria, Germany is the ancestral home of the Worstell family. The Germans began using hereditary surnames in the 12th century. Worstell is an occupational name, which was derived from the kind of work done by the original bearer. It is a name for a person who made sausages, a skill which has been held in high regard since the Middle Ages. The surname Worstell is derived from the Old German word Wurst, or Wurstmacher, which denotes a sausage-maker.

Worstell Early Origins

The surname Worstell was first found in Bavaria, where the Wurster family held a family seat from ancient times. Their allegiances were sought eagerly by princes of the region in attempts to enhance and consolidate their political power.

Worstell Spelling Variations

Worstell Spelling Variations

Many cultural groups lived in the German states in medieval times. Each had its own dialect and traditions, and unique variations of popular names. Low German, which is similar to contemporary Dutch, was spoken in Westphalia. German names are characterized by additions such as regional suffixes and phrases that tell something about the origin or background of its original bearer. Further contributing to the variation in German names was the fact that there were no spelling rules in medieval times: scribes recorded names according to their sound. The recorded spelling variations of Worstell include Wurster, Wursten, Wurstel, Wurstere, Wurstle, Wurst, Wuester, Wuersten, Wuestel, Wuestere, Wuerstle, Wuerst, Worster, Worsten, Worstel, Worstere, Worstle, Worst, Woerster, Woersten, Woerstel, Woerstere, Woerstle and many more.

Worstell Early History

Worstell Early History

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Worstell research. Another 142 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1746 and 1765 are included under the topic Early Worstell History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Worstell Early Notables (pre 1700)

Worstell Early Notables (pre 1700)

More information is included under the topic Early Worstell Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

The Great Migration

The Great Migration

Thousands of German settlers came to North America between the mid-17th and mid-20th centuries. The hardships of the long voyage were balanced by the opportunity to escape poverty and religious persecution. The descendents of these settlers still populate the states of Pennsylvania, Texas, New York, Illinois, and California. Many also live in Ontario and the prairie provinces of Canada. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families has revealed a number of immigrants bearing the name Worstell or a variant listed above: Richard Worster arrived in Virginia in 1635; Rebeca Worster arrived in New England in 1656; Peter Worster arrived in New York, New York in 1663; Hans Worster arrived in Pennsylvania in 1738.

Rupp, Daniel L. A Collection of Upwards of Thirty Thousand Names of German, Swiss, Dutch, French and Other Immigrants to Pennsylvania from 1727 to 1776. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 2000. Print. (ISBN 978-0806303024).

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The Worstell Family Crest was acquired from the Houseofnames.com archives. The Worstell Family Crest was drawn according to heraldic standards based on published blazons. We generally include the oldest published family crest once associated with each surname.